West Fraser Enhances Williams Lake Plywood With New Westmill Dryer

Westmill supplied a new steam-heated, four-deck jet veneer dryer to replace Dryer #1 at the West Fraser Williams Lake plywood mill in BC. The original Coe M-72 dryer had been in service since the mid-1970s, and the West Fraser said dryer inefficiencies and safety emissions concerns had mounted.

The design constraint was to replace the dryer while maintaining the existing dryer footprint and steam-heating platform. Key objectives were to improve energy efficiency, production, and emissions control. To achieve this, Westmill eliminated one roller section to make room for the two new WestVac seal sections without modifying the existing dryer length. The existing PLC was upgraded rather than completely replaced to automate exhaust and pressure control.

Other key components of the new dryer included Armstrong-Hunt steam coils with steel-finned leading rows for improved durability, Class 3 NYB hot air circulation fans, Westmill’s patented “Quick-Install” dryer door cartridges, stainless steel insulated floor, pneumatic chain tensioner, and four-deck independent drive system with VFD drives.

The new dryer housing and WestVac seal systems addressed the issue of blue haze emissions by maintaining proper sealing within the dryer and preventing emissions from escaping into the plant. Automated exhaust controls replaced manual adjustments, optimizing humidity migration within the dryer and reducing heat loss.

The performance of the new dryer has exceeded expectations. Since startup, the mill has achieved a 25% reduction in steam consumption and a 5% increase in production.